Nickel Slots headlining concert benefiting Woodland Opera House

The Nickel Slots, a Sammie Award-winning Americana band which features Woodland natives Chris and Steve Amaral, are playing an upcoming benefit concert at the Woodland House on Saturday, June 16.

Roadhouse 5, a cover band quintet fronted by the Amaral brothers' parents, Dennis and Anita, is the opening act.

Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $15 for adults and $8 for children 17 and under, and are available in advance at woodlandoperahouse.org.

According to a news release from the band, half of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Opera House, a designated California State Historic Park located at 340 2nd St.

The Nickel Slots will be performing fresh off of a May 18 gig at the downtown Sacramento summer Concerts in the Park series, which was attended by 5,000 people. The band is looking forward to playing at the smaller, more intimate Woodland venue.

"We grew up attending concerts and plays there, and it's a special place to us," said guitarist Steve Amaral of he and his brother and Chris, who plays drums. "It feels great to be able to walk on that stage ourselves and do our thing."

Though the Opera House escaped the list of state parks set to close July 1, it is feeling the pinch of decreased state funding.

"We're really excited that half of the ticket price for this show goes to support the Opera House," Steve Amaral said.

The Nickel Slots have been steadily playing Northern California and other West Coast locations for the past four years. Their mix of rock and roll, country, Irish and rockabilly won them the Sacramento Music Award for Outstanding Americana/Alt-Country in both 2010 and 2011. In early July the band departs for its first European tour, a two-week series of performances in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Accustomed to playing in noisy clubs, the foursome intends to take advantage of the more focused atmosphere and theatrical tools that the Opera House provides.

"We're going to make this a special night for us and for our friends and fans," said bassist Paul Zinn with a sly grin. "Even if you've seen The Nickel Slots many times, you're going to find something new at this show."